Eternal Undying Chronicles

Chapter 182 Heading Back Home

Alicarde returned to the cabin riding on Wrath, his black bicorn steed. The village lay in a quiet slumber, sparsely populated. Most of the witches were likely recovering from the chaos of the battle the night before and whatever celebrations had followed.

Which worked perfectly in his favor.

He dismounted Wrath outside the cabin, the snow crunching beneath his boots. Reaching for the heavy saddle, he hoisted it onto his back with practiced ease. As he worked, a faint smile crept onto his lips, a memory of Amena flashing through his mind—her small figure somehow managing to carry the cumbersome saddle with surprising efficiency.

It had been Amena who first taught him how to mount a saddle properly, a skill he now performed almost instinctively.

He contemplated using Malefica's phone to call Amena but dismissed the idea just as quickly. He was heading back to Evergreen City soon enough; there was no point. Besides, what right did he have to worry about them? They were leagues stronger than him in every sense.

Carrisa's power was incomprehensible to him. She hadn't even shown him the first form of her sword techniques, a testament to how far beyond him she stood. Argint, a master of combat, had only revealed the first stage of her technique, [Grim Growl], during one of their spars. Even Amena, despite her unassuming demeanor, wielded her entire body as a weapon.

Then, there was Elizalina Crimson, the stunning vampire. While she had been drafted into battle by Carrisa and the others, she never truly unleashed her full strength. And her truename—Sol—was said to grant her dominion over sunlight itself. That alone marked her as a terrifying force.

Alicarde sighed, tightening the saddle straps.

'I'm still so far behind all of them.'

Malefica, too, was a towering presence. He had witnessed her power firsthand, an immense force that made the heavens dim. And that was while she was weakened by her curse. The thought of her at full strength was enough to make his stomach churn.

'And then there's the Emperor.'

Carrisa's father, the ruler of the Evernight Empire. Alicarde had heard tales of his strength—power so vast that it was said he could cleave a planet in two. He had long since surpassed the limits of their world. The mere thought of such might felt insurmountable, almost alien.

'I bet someone like that doesn't have a single worry or fear in their life,' Alicarde thought bitterly, biting his lip.

Still, the Emperor was a distant concern. His more immediate worries were the strigoi Zagarath, the looming influence of the three great powers, and perhaps even the Demon of Noon. The world seemed intent on throwing challenges at him faster than he could grow.

He paused for a moment, thinking of Cassandra's cryptic mention of the university's grand library. Malefica had yet to share whether she'd gleaned anything useful from Cassandra. He'd have to ask her soon.

Finally securing the saddle, he stepped back and admired his handiwork. The enchanted object, the Saddle of Deceit, had served its purpose well. It had fooled Wrath into believing Alicarde was tainted—impure of body and spirit. But now? Now, he no longer needed the saddle, and the thought brought a smug grin to his face.

The sound of his own chuckle surprised him, pulling him from his thoughts.

"What's got you in such a good mood?"

Malefica's voice called out from the cabin doorway, her tone sharp but carrying an undercurrent of curiosity. She stood there, her usual stern expression firmly in place, her long, silver hair glinting faintly in the morning light.

Alicarde turned, the smile lingering beneath his hood.

"Ah, nothing. Just thinking about how nice the morning is."

Malefica arched a delicate brow, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Well, come inside. Let's have breakfast before we head out."

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He nodded, dismissing Wrath with a simple command. The bicorn sank into the shadows without a sound, leaving them alone in the frosted clearing.

Inside the cabin, the warmth was immediate, a stark contrast to the cold outside. Alicarde shut the door behind him, but before Malefica could move farther into the room, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"What's on the menu?" he murmured, his voice teasing as his breath ghosted across her neck.

Malefica stiffened for a moment, but the faintest smile tugged at her lips.

"Whatever you want," she replied smoothly.

He chuckled lowly. "Then, can I have you?"

Malefica's gaze narrowed, though her tone remained light.

"Not here, you can't. Unless, of course, you're eager to be tied to Vidalia for the rest of your life."

Alicarde winced at the memory of the witch Vidalia's… enthusiastic advances. He laughed awkwardly, stepping back.

"Right, right. No need to remind me. Speaking of which, are you coming back to Evergreen with me?"

"Of course," Malefica said, brushing past him. "We came here together, after all. It would be strange to part ways now."

Relief washed over him at her answer. Without warning, he swept her off her feet, cradling her in his arms as she let out a startled gasp.

"Alright, let's go," he declared, grinning.

"Wait! What about breakfast—"

Alicarde didn't wait to hear the rest. He opened the door and summoned Wrath with a flick of his wrist. The bicorn reappeared, its obsidian form shimmering faintly in the morning sun. He mounted swiftly, still holding Malefica in his arms.

With a ripple of energy, Wrath teleported them into the forest, the snowy landscape rushing past in a blur. Alicarde kept the bicorn grounded, urging it to run rather than take flight. Drawing attention now would be unwise.

The wind whipped around them as Wrath galloped through the snow-laden trees. Malefica leaned back against him, her body relaxed despite the speed and motion. Alicarde tightened his grip on both her and the saddle, a small smile playing on his lips.

The forest blurred by, but for the first time in a long while, the weight of his worries felt just a little lighter.

It wasn't long before they reached the magical barrier surrounding the witch village. Wrath, Alicarde's ever-loyal bicorn, moved through it effortlessly. With a sound like water popping, they crossed the threshold and found themselves on a deserted asphalt road.

The rhythmic thud of Wrath's hooves echoed faintly, the sound carrying into the stillness of the morning. At the beast's great speed, the surroundings blurred into a haze, but Alicarde's sharp senses allowed him to see everything clearly. The cold air rushed past, biting against his face, but it did little to bother him.

However, his thoughts shifted to Malefica, who rested in his arms. He pulled gently at the reins, signaling Wrath to slow down. There was no need for such a breakneck pace, especially if it might cause her discomfort.

The bicorn's pace eased into a smooth trot, its shadowy form rippling faintly under the dim light filtering through the trees. Malefica adjusted herself slightly, the movement catching Alicarde's attention. He decided to break the silence that hung between them.

"You found something on the Demon of Noon, didn't you?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying a weight of curiosity.

Malefica remained silent for a moment before nodding. "I did. I learned a lot more than that."

Alicarde glanced down at her, his expression unreadable beneath his hood. "I see," he murmured.

She leaned her head back against his chest, her silver hair cascading over his arm like a silken curtain. The faint scent of lavender reached his nose, grounding him. Her voice, quieter now, broke the comfortable silence.

"Do you… want to hear about it? My past, I mean."

Alicarde's arms tightened protectively around her waist. "Do you want to tell me?"

She nodded again, her movements subtle but deliberate. "I do."

By this time, they had already left the deserted road and were nearing the main highway. The distant hum of occasional vehicles was faint but growing louder as they approached civilization. Sensing that they were far enough from the village to avoid any prying eyes, Alicarde gave Wrath another command.

The bicorn's body shimmered as massive wings of shadow unfurled from its back. With a powerful leap, Wrath ascended into the sky, the ground falling away beneath them.

The wind rushed past them, cold and fierce, but Alicarde's hold on Malefica was steady. She nestled closer, her warmth contrasting against the chill as she began to speak, her voice steady yet tinged with emotion.

Alicarde's gaze remained fixed ahead, but his attention was entirely on her.

"I was born into the coven of Dawn," Malefica continued, her tone even but carrying an undercurrent of bitterness.

Alicarde said nothing, allowing her to continue at her own pace.

"My grandmother," she hesitated, her voice softening

"Was the head of our coven. She was powerful, kind, and completely devoted to protecting me from the world. From the moment I could walk, she began preparing me to succeed her. I was taught magic, combat, and the intricacies of our coven's politics. But it wasn't enough for her. It was never enough."

Malefica's hands clenched slightly, her nails digging into Alicarde's cloak. He responded by tightening his arms around her in silent reassurance.

He silently listen to her story as they flew towards Evergreen City.